Effects of a summer math program on algebra readiness

WestEd has released a study examining the effects of Elevate Math, a summer math program, on seventh-grade students' algebra readiness, general math achievement, and perceptions of math.
 

Elevate Math is a four-week program that students attend for 19 days in the summer for four hours a day. It is a Common-Core based curriculum addressing properties and operations, linear equations, ratios and multiple representations, and transformational geometry, with one hour spent on Khan Academy (a free online learning system). Elevate Math also incorporates a college visit to inspire students and 40 hours of professional development for teachers.
 

A total of 477 seventh-grade students at eight schools in California's Silicon Valley who volunteered to take the course were randomly assigned to receive Elevate Math either at the beginning of the summer (treatment group) or the end of the summer (control group). Results showed that the treatment group scored significantly higher than controls in tests of algebra readiness and general math, however, most students' scores suggested they were still not ready for algebra. Student surveys showed that Elevate Math did not change students' attitudes toward math or views of their math competence.
 

Researchers stated that most students would need more support than solely Elevate Math in order to succeed in algebra. They also discuss how results indicated that Elevate Math reduced summer learning loss.

Johns Hopkins University 

Research in Brief

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